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Return to the February - March 2006 State Energy Efficiency Bulletin
Legislative updates from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, WashingtonDC, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Return to the February - March 2006 State Energy Efficiency Bulletin
House Bill 2374 Assigned to House Rules Committee 1/24/06 House Bill 2430 Assigned to Senate Rules Committee and Senate Government Committee 2/15/06 HB 2430 would change the maximum payback period of an energy performance contract from 10 years to 25 years. House Bill 2501 Assigned to Rules Committee 1/24/06 HB 2501 would require school districts and charter schools to establish an energy-efficiency fund consisting of investments deposited in the fund by utility companies providing services designed to increase energy efficiency in school buildings. The fund would be used to pay for the cost of energy-efficiency measures. The school would then deposit money from the energy savings that result from the efficiency measures into the fund to repay the utilities. House Bill 2843 Assigned to Rules Committee 2/7/06 HB 2843 would create income tax credits of up to $150 for residential consumers who purchase energy-efficient products including central air conditioners, air source heat pumps, clothes washers, and ceiling fans. Total tax credits issued by the state could not exceed $7.5 million. House Bill 1970 Referred to Committee on Utilities and Commerce 2/23/06 HB 1970, the “California Vampire Slayer Act of 2006,” would require the manufacturer of an appliance to place a power content label on its products that shows the energy consumption of the appliance when it is in the “on” mode and the “standby” mode. House Bill 2616 Introduced 2/24/06 HB 2616 would allow a $3,000 income tax deduction for each purchase or initial lease of a qualified hybrid vehicle. Senate Bill 757 Referred to House Transportation and Utilities Committee and Commerce Committee 2/27/06 SB 757 would, among other measures, require the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt recommendations, policies and programs by January 1, 2007, to reduce the rate of growth in petroleum consumption and increase transportation energy efficiency, and the use of alternative fuels. It also would require the secretary of the California EPA to take action to influence the United States Congress and Department of Transportation to double the combined fuel economy of cars and light trucks by 2020. House Bill 1147 Passed House 2/22/06, Assigned to Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Committee 2/27/06 HB 1147 would direct distributors of natural gas to develop and implement cost-effective energy-efficiency programs once the public utilities commission adopts rules to establish funding and cost-recovery mechanisms for those programs. House Bill 1200 Signed by the Governor 2/3/06 HB 1200 mandates that a portion of the severance tax trust fund be used to provide energy-related assistance to low-income households through bill pay assistance and home energy-efficiency improvements, and appropriates money for the next four fiscal years for this purpose. House Bill 5347 Referred to Joint Committee on Environment 2/17/06 HB 5347 would prevent the raiding of money from the Conservation and Load Management Funds. House Bill 5523 Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology 2/23/06 HB 5523 would require any new facility costing at least $1 million, or any renovation costing at least $500,000 that is constructed with at least 25 percent state funds, to adopt building construction standards that are consistent with or exceed LEED’s silver building rating, or an equivalent standard such as a two-globe rating in the Green Globes USA design program. Senate Bill 191 Referred to Joint Committee on Environment 2/16/06 SB 191 would require any new facility costing at least $1 million or any renovation costing at least $500,000, constructed with at least 25 percent state funds, to adopt building construction standards that are consistent with or exceed LEED’s silver building rating, or an equivalent standard such as a two-globe rating in the Green Globes USA design program. Senate Bill 293 Referred to Joint Committee on Environment 2/22/06 SB 293 would require a gas company to implement a gas conservation plan providing for annual expenditures for the implementation of the programs included in the plan, which must be equal to at least 1.1 cents/hundred cubic feet of natural gas projected to be distributed in 2007, 2.2 cents in 2008, and 3.3 cents in 2009 and thereafter. Senate Bill 570 Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology 3/2/06 Executive Order 19 Released 2/6/06 EO 19 directs the Public Service Commission to examine the feasibility of requiring the Delmarva utility company to implement demand side management, conservation and efficiency programs. It also creates a consumer education program focused on energy conservation techniques. Further measures designed to promote or create energy-efficiency programs and policies also are included. House Bill 597 in Water & Natural Resources Committee 2/13/06, Senate Bill 278 is the Companion Bill HB 597 would provide for inclusion of water and wastewater efficiency and conservation measures in guaranteed performance savings contracts entered into by state agencies, municipalities, or political subdivisions. House Bill 1219 Passed House 2/29/06, Read in Senate 3/1/06 HB 1219 would provide a four-day sales and use tax exemption (August 3-August 6, 2006) on the sale of ten energy-efficient products. House Bill 1941 Referred to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce 2/10/06 HB 1941 would require electric utilities to charge a higher rate to residential consumers with a monthly consumption of over 500 kWh. House Bill 2020 Referred to House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and House Finance Committee 1/23/06 HB 2020 would exempt low emission and energy-efficient vehicles from the general excise tax beginning January 1, 2006. House Bill 2021 Referred to House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and House Finance Committee 1/23/06 HB 2021 would provide a tax credit of up to 50 percent of the cost or $2,500 (whichever is less) for the purchase of equipment or the cost of labor to convert a vehicle to alternative fuels beginning January 1, 2006. House Bill 2137 Referred to House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee and House Finance Committee 1/23/06 HB 2137 would require all new state and county buildings to be built to LEED building standards and would expedite building permits for developers who utilize LEED standards. It also would shorten the sliding scale for new state-purchased motor vehicles to meet fuel efficiency standards. House Bill 2175 Referred to House Committee on House Finance 2/17/06, Senate Bill 2957 is the Companion Bill HB 2175 would promote the use of green building practices by requiring development-related permit agencies to prioritize permits for projects that incorporate LEED building standards. It also would authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to bring state facilities into compliance with previously established greenhouse gas and energy consumption reduction goals. House Bill 2232 Referred to House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and House Finance Committee 1/25/06 HB 2232 would authorize the public utilities commission to lead and advance greenhouse gas emission reductions for public utilities supplying electricity. House Bill 2245 Referred to House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and House Finance Committee 1/25/06 HB 2245 would establish a business energy tax credit equal to 35 percent of the costs incurred for investments in energy conservation, recycling, renewable energy resources, co-generation, qualified retrofits or construction projects, and less-polluting transportation fuels. House Bill 2308 Re-referred to the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, House Agriculture Committee or Department of Agriculture, and House Finance Committee 2/21/06, Senate Bill 2271 is the Companion Bill HB 2308 would provide a comprehensive set of measures to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuel, maximize energy efficiency, and encourage the development and use of renewable resources and alternative fuels across the State. House Bill 2314 Referred to the Committee on House Finance 2/15/06, Senate Bill 2277 is the Companion Bill HB 2314 would create an income tax credit on the retail purchase of six Energy Star-qualified products. House Bill 2616 Referred to House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and House Finance Committee 1/27/06, Senate Bill 3166 is the Companion Bill HB 2616 would authorize the issuance of revenue bonds for energy efficiency and renewable energy use in state facilities. House Bill 2620 Referred to the Committee on House Finance 2/16/06, Senate Bill 3173 is the Companion Bill HB 2620 would direct state fleets to procure energy-efficient vehicles, would direct counties to issue special license plates for energy-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles and would exempt these vehicles from motor vehicle registration fees for 5 years. House Bill 2931 Referred to the House Committee on Finance 2/16/06 HB 2931 would exempt the general excise tax from the credit earned by a homeowner who sells excess electrical power to a utility company. House Bill 2984 Re-referred to the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, the House Housing Affairs Committee, and the House Finance Committee 2/9/06 HB 2984 would require all state and county agencies and grant or subsidy recipients utilizing state funds for capital improvement projects to submit an energy-efficiency plan with their funding request. House Bill 3000 Referred to the House Energy and Enviromental Protection Committee, the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and the House Finance Committee 1/30/06 HB 3000 would adopt California’s new vehicle emission standards for new passenger cars, light duty trucks, and sport utility vehicles with a model year of 2016 or later, and would direct the Department of Health to adopt rules implementing California’s new vehicle emission standards. House Bill 3048 Referred to the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and the House Finance Committee 1/30/06, Senate Bill 3183 is the Companion Bill HB 3048 would direct the Department of Health to develop greenhouse gas emission standards and adopt rules that achieve the maximum feasible reduction of greenhouse gases emitted by passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks and any other vehicles determined by the department to be vehicles whose primary use is noncommercial personal transportation in the State. House Bill 3152 Referred to the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee and the House Finance Committee 1/30/06 HB 3152 would provide a tax credit of $1,500 on the purchase of a hybrid motor vehicle. House Bill 3230 Referred to the House Finance Committee 2/17/06 HB 3230 would establish a state building code commission to adopt a state building code by the end of 2007 based on the ICC codes, and would make the building code in each county the state building code. Senate Bill 2116 Referred to the Senate Transportation and Government Operations Committee, and the Senate Intergovernmental Affairs Committee 1/27/06 SB 2116 would allow single-occupant drivers of qualified low emission and energy-efficient vehicles to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) and Zipper lanes. Senate Bill 2117 Referred to the Senate Energy, Environment, and International Affairs Committee; the Senate Transportation and Government Operations Committee; and the Senate Ways and Means Committee 1/27/06 SB 2117 would exempt low emission and energy-efficient vehicles from the general excise tax as of July 1, 2006. Senate Bill 2118 Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee 2/16/06 SB 2118 would exempt low emission and energy-efficient vehicles from parking fees charged by any government authority, other than the federal government. Senate Bill 2119 Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee 2/15/06 SB 2119 would provide a tax credit of up to 50 percent of the cost or $2,500 (whichever is less) for the purchase of equipment or the cost of labor to convert a vehicle to alternative fuels beginning January 1, 2006. Senate Bill 2125 Passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee 2/23/06 SB 2125 would provide a tax credit of $50 for the purchase of Energy Star-labeled products with a retail price of at least $300. Senate Bill 2195 Referred to Senate Transportation and Government Operations Committee; Senate Energy, Environment, and International Affairs Committee; and Senate Ways and Means Committee 1/27/06 SB 2195 would require that public state buildings constructed or renovated with at least 50 percent state funding comply with LEED silver standards, starting with buildings appropriated in FY 2008. Senate Bill 3185 Passed Senate Commerce Consumer Protection and Housing Committee 3/3/06 SB 3185 would establish a statewide energy-efficiency utility which will achieve a statewide energy-efficiency portfolio standard of 10 percent by December 31, 2010; 15 percent by the end of 2015; and 20 percent by the end of 2020. Senate Bill 3187 Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee 2/24/06 SB 3187 would authorize the issuance of $25 million in general obligation bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies in state facilities. House Bill 4137 Passed House 2/1/06, Referred to Senate Rules Committee 2/2/06 HB 4137 would require all automobiles purchased from state funds to be flexible fuel vehicles or fuel efficient hybrid vehicles. House Bill 4258 Passed House 2/22/06, Arrived in Senate 2/22/06 HB 4258 would create the Illinois Smart Energy Task Force to conduct a study and make recommendations concerning energy efficiency’s effect on system reliability, peak demand, low-income customers and energy production’s negative environmental impacts. House Bill 4313 Passed House 2/15/06, Referred to Senate Rules Committee 2/22/06 HB 4313 would require the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to certify energy-efficient appliances. Besides identifying the appliances, the Department also would be required to identify the average first-year kilowatt hours saved (or the equivalent), and to post the information on its website. House Bill 4762 Referred to House Rules Committee 1/18/06 HB 4762 would exempt Energy Star products from both use and occupation taxes during a tax holiday from November 1st through November 7th and April 22nd through April 28th of every year. House Bill 5364 Referred to House Rules Committee 1/26/06 HB 5364 would provide income tax credits of up to $680 for individual taxpayers who purchase and install a certified energy-efficient heating or cooling system, hire a certified contractor to install sealed ductwork or seal existing ductwork, or hire a certified contractor to work on a heat pump system or central air conditioning system to achieve optimal performance. Senate Bill 2369 Passed Senate 3/2/06 SB 2369 would exempt car-sharing organizations from the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax, if 10 percent of their fleets has hybrid engines. Senate Bill 2868 Passed Senate 2/22/06, Referred to House Rules Committee 2/23/06 SB 2868 would require that the Capital Development Board adopt and update an energy-efficiency code for state commercial buildings that incorporates the IECC standards. Senate Bill 3005 Referred to Senate Rules Committee 1/20/06 SB 3005 would create a use and occupation tax holiday for Energy Star-labeled products effective upon passage of the bill through April 30, 2006. House Bill 1076 Passed the House 1/26/06, Passed the Senate and Returned to House without Amendments 2/23/06 HB 1076 would include water and wastewater, in addition to energy, under the guaranteed savings contracts and utility efficiency programs that may be used by local units of government to reduce consumption and usage costs or to provide billable revenue increases. House Bill 1332 Passed House 2/2/06, Referred to Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 2/6/06 HB 1332 would provide hybrid vehicle owners with an income tax deduction equal to the lesser of $1,000 or $85 per month for each month the taxpayer owns the vehicle. House Bill 2079 Referred to House Commerce, Regulations and Labor Committee 1/18/06 HB 2079 would require the state building code commissioner to adopt energy conservation requirements based upon a nationally recognized standard or code for energy conservation. Currently, the minimum energy-efficiency standard is used for new single-family or two-family residential construction. House Bill 2141 Referred to House Ways and Means Committee 1/26/06, Senate Bill 2063 is the Companion Bill HB 2141 would exempt Energy Star-labeled clothes washers, refrigerators, and dishwashers from sales and use taxes. It also would direct the Department of Revenue to help develop public information programs that identify and encourage the sale of such products manufactured or assembled in the state. House Bill 2271 Referred to House Commerce, Regulations and Labor Committee 2/7/06 HB 2271 would provide for a sales tax exemption for Energy Star-labeled products; would provide for a tax credit on personal and corporate income tax for the construction or rehabilitation of buildings certified to promote energy-efficiency; and would provide for a use tax refund of $10 per mile per gallon over 27.5 mpg for fuel-efficient motor vehicles whose combined fuel economy exceeds 27.5 miles per gallon. House Bill 2361 Introduced 2/14/06 HB 2361 would include a requirement that new single-family or two-family residential construction must comply with energy conservation requirements, based on nationally recognized energy codes. Senate Bill 2092 Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee 1/26/06 SB 2092 would exempt cars designed to run on E-85 gasoline and hybrid vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of under 8,000 pounds from the state use tax. Senate Bill 2206 Referred to Senate Commerce Committee 2/13/06 SB 2206 would provide for a tax credit on personal and corporate income taxes for the construction or rehabilitation of buildings certified to promote energy efficiency, among other energy-related provisions. Senate Bill 2212 Referred to Senate Commerce Committee 2/14/06 SB 2212 would require the Iowa finance authority to establish and administer an energy-efficient equipment loan program to provide five-year, no-interest loans to developers and owners of housing for lower-income families. The loans would be made available for the purpose of installing energy-efficient equipment and they would be funded through Iowa’s tobacco settlement trust fund. Senate Study Bill 3229 Referred to Senate Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee 2/27/06 SSB 3229 would encourage certain public entities and educational facilities to invest in energy performance-based contracts. House Bill 2602 Passed House 1/31/06, Referred to Senate Education Committee 2/1/06 HB 2602 would allow a municipality or state agency to enter into a contract or lease-purchase agreement for qualified energy conservation measures. House Bill 2637 Referred to House Taxation Committee and House Utilities Committee 1/19/06 HB 2637 would allow income tax credits for certain energy-efficiency expenditures. House Bill 2843 Referred to House Utilities Committee 2/8/06 HB 2843 would require all major facility projects of state agencies to be designed, constructed and certified to at least the LEED silver standard. House Bill 2923 Referred to House Utilities Committee 2/15/06 HB 2923 would provide for an energy audit of each state agency building to be conducted prior to July 1, 2013. It also would require that all state-financed construction contracts or purchase or installation of any heating, ventilation, or air conditioning unit or system be consistent with energy conservation and efficiency standards. And it would require each state agency to reduce the energy consumption in each of its buildings by at least 15 percent by July 1, 2015, compared to a July 1, 2000 baseline. House Bill 2934 Referred to House Utilities Committee 2/15/06 HB 2934 would impose a charge on electricity and natural gas delivered to consumers by utilities in whatever amount necessary to generate revenues equal to 20 percent of DOE’s state weatherization allocation for Kansas, or $550,000, whichever is less. The money collected would be split between the state weatherization fund and the energy-efficiency technical assistance fund, both of which would be established under this bill. House Bill 189 Read in House Economic Matters Committee 1/19/06, Senate Bill 154 is the Companion Bill HB 189, the “Healthy Air Act,” would establish limits on emissions from electricity generating facilities, and would require the Governor to include Maryland in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or require the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generating facilities, along with other emissions-related provisions. House Bill 212 Read in House Ways and Means Committee 1/23/06 HB 212 would establish a motor vehicle excise tax credit of 50% on the purchase of qualified electric and hybrid vehicles from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. House Bill 213 Read in House Environmental Matters Committee 1/23/06 HB 213 would require the State Highway Administration to install traffic control devices indicating that high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes may be used by inherently low emission vehicles and qualified hybrid vehicles. House Bill 305 Read in House Ways and Means Committee 1/25/06, Senate Bill 217 is the Companion Bill HB 305 would create an income tax credit of up to $500 for qualified energy-efficient home heating systems. House Bill 411 Read in House Ways and Means Committee 1/27/06 HB 411 would reduce the minimum space requirements for buildings to be eligible for the green building tax credit from 20,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. House Bill 811 Read in House Ways and Means Committee 2/8/06 HB 811 would create a week-long vehicle excise tax holiday during April, 2007 on the purchase of new advanced technology vehicles. House Bill 1004 Read in House Ways and Means Committee 2/9/06, Senate Bill 265 is the Companion Bill HB 1004 would provide a sales and use tax exemption during October 2006 and April 2007 on the sale of five Energy Star-labeled products and on solar water heaters. House Bill 1031 Read in House Economic Matters Committee 2/9/06, Senate Bill 268 is the Companion Bill HB 1031 would require the Governor to include Maryland in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as soon as internal procedures exist for the addition of new member states. House Bill 1461 Read in House Environmental Matters Committee 2/10/06 HB 1461 would authorize each county and Baltimore City to develop an energy conservation plan for consideration by the Maryland Energy Administration. House Bill 1463 Read in House Environmental Matters Committee 2/10/06, Senate Bill 267 is the Companion Bill HB 1463 would create energy performance standards to require reductions of energy consumption in state buildings, would require state agencies to conduct energy consumption analyses, and would require state agencies to update energy conservation plans. House Bill 1471 Read in House Health and Government Operations Committee 2/10/06, Senate Bill 326 is the Companion Bill HB 1471 would require 75 percent of the State vehicle fleet to be hybrid vehicles starting in FY 2015. Senate Bill 590 Read in Senate Budget and Taxation Committee 2/3/06 SB 590 would impose a 50 percent tax on the specified excess profits of petroleum corporations, and would establish an Energy-Saving Investment Program into which the revenue from the tax would be distributed for energy-efficiency programs. Senate Bill 783 Read in Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee 2/3/06 SB 783 would include water and wastewater conservation projects in the provisions of law relating to energy performance contracting. Senate Bill 1009 Read in Senate Rules Committee 3/2/06 SB 1009 would alter the size requirements for specified buildings to be eligible for green building tax credits from 20,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. House Bill 4530 Signed by the Governor 2/3/06 HB 4530 will allow public agencies to enter into guaranteed energy savings contracts to achieve energy savings at qualified facilities. House Bill 5621 Referred to House Committee on Tax Policy 2/1/06 HB 5261 would create an income tax deduction of 50 percent of the cost or $2,500, whichever is less, for the purchase of an Energy Star-labeled heating system by households with an income of less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. House Bill 5684 Referred to House Committee on Tax Policy 2/16/06 HB 5684 would create an income tax deduction of 50 percent of the cost or $2,500, whichever is less, for the cost of weatherization improvements by households with an income of less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. House Bill 5691 Referred to House Committee on Energy and Technology 2/16/06 HB 5691 would create an income tax credit equal to 10 percent of the cost of the purchase and installation of Energy Star-labeled products. House Bill 5741 Referred to House Committee on Tax Policy 2/22/06 HB 5741 would create an income tax credit of 35% of the cost incurred by landlords who upgrade the energy efficiency of residential rental property. House Bill 3139 Referred to House Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs 3/2/06, Senate Bill 2677 is the Companion Bill HB 3139 would establish a climate neutral policy for state building projects funded with state bonds. House Bill 1644 Passed House 2/21/06, Referred to Senate Finance Committee 2/24/06 HB 1644, “The Mississippi Energy Act of 2006,” would require any motor vehicles purchased by a state agency, department, or institution to meet federal CAFE standards or to contain a hybrid gas-electric motor or a motor equipped for using alternative fuels; would require those state entities to purchase a certain percentage of such vehicles by specific times; would provide an income tax credit for certain taxpayers who purchase new hybrid electric vehicles; and would provide income tax credits to taxpayers who build new buildings or rehabilitate old buildings in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council. House Bill 1092 Hearing Completed in House Special Committee on Energy and Environment 2/21/06 HB 1092 would authorize an individual income tax deduction for the purchase of hybrid motor vehicles of 10 percent of the purchase price of the vehicle, or $1,500, whichever is less. Senate Bill 397 Referred to Senate Finance Committee 1/18/06 SB 397 would establish a temporary energy tax credit against the business enterprise tax equal to the lesser of $500 or 50 percent of the expenditures for fuel, electricity, purchase, and installation of energy-saving devices and alternative energy systems or devices. House Bill 2039 Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee 1/17/06, Senate Bill 843 is the Companion Bill HB 2039 would require existing state buildings that have been owned or leased for ten years to be evaluated under energy and environmental performance standards, and would require any new state building to be designed and managed so that it can be certified at the highest possible applicable level under the Green Building Rating System. House Bill 2259 Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee 1/3/06 HB 2259 would exempt motor vehicles with an average fuel economy equal to 150 percent or more of the corporate average fuel economy standards from the sales and use tax. Senate Bill 860 Referred to Senate Environment Committee 1/17/06 SB 860 would allow the exclusion of income from the sale, lease or other transfer of a U.S. patent that is certified to be useful for energy conservation or alternative energy development. Senate Bill 936 Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 1/17/06 SB 936 would provide a sales and use tax exemption on sales of Energy Star-labeled furnaces, boilers, and programmable thermostats. Senate Bill 1352 Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 2/9/06 SB 1352 would require New Jersey Energy Star Homes Program incentives to be available statewide. Senate Resolution 21 Referred to Senate Environment Committee 1/17/06 SR 21 would urge the U.S. Secretary of Energy to include hybrid vehicles in the Department of Energy’s definition of alternative fueled vehicles in the federal requirements on state vehicle purchases. Executive Order 1 Released 1/16/06 EO 1 orders all Executive Branch state agencies to adopt the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system to achieve various energy conservation goals for different types of state buildings. House Bill 148 Passed the House Appropriations and Finance Committee 1/27/06, Senate Bill 24 is the Companion Bill HB 148 would appropriate $700,000 to expand the weatherization assistance program to increase the energy efficiency and reduce energy expenditures of homes occupied by low-income persons in New Mexico. House Bill 335 Passed the House Appropriations and Finance Committee 2/3/06 HB 335 would appropriate $20 million to supplement the weatherization assistance program and related or similar programs. House Bill 884 Passed the House Taxation and Revenue Committee with Committee Edits 2/7/06 HB 884 would create an income tax credit for the construction of a green building achieving at least a silver rating in the LEED green building rating system. Senate Bill 468 Referred to Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee and Senate Finance Committee, 1/25/06 SB 468 would impose an oil and gas severance surtax on all natural gas and oil products severed and sold, the revenue of which will go towards grants to municipalities, counties and public institutions of higher education to conduct studies on the economic impact of high energy costs, and towards grants for installation and utilization of energy conservation measures. Senate Memorial 5 Referred to Senate Conservation Committee and Senate Rules Committee 1/19/06 SM 5 would request that the Governor issue an executive order that requires several energy conservation measures to be implemented in all state government buildings. House Bill 1925 Amended and Recommitted to Assembly Ways and Means Committee 2/24/06 HB 1925 would amend the tax laws to exempt Energy Star appliances from sales and use taxes during two week-long periods annually. House Bill 9636 Referred to Assembly Energy Committee 1/24/06 HB 9636 would provide a property tax exemption on Energy Star-compliant improvements to residential premises. House Bill 9898 Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee 2/8/06 HB 9898 would exempt hybrid vehicles from the sales and use tax. Senate Bill 5970 Passed Senate 1/31/06, Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee 1/31/06 SB 5970 would amend the tax law to provide a sales and use tax exemption for Energy Star appliances. Senate Bill 6816 Referred to Senate Corporations, Authorities & Commissions Committee 2/24/06 SB 6816 would create grants and low interest loans for dairy farms that make energy-efficient improvements. House Bill 251 Passed House 1/17/06, Referred to Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee 1/24/06 HB 251 would specify certain energy-efficiency and conservation standards relating to facility construction and leasing for state agencies and public schools, and would require state agencies to give preference to procuring products and services that meet federal energy-efficiency guidelines. House Bill 2081 Passed House Revenue and Taxation Committee 3/1/06 HB 2081 would create an income tax credit of $1500 for the purchase of each hybrid vehicle. House Bill 2392 Referred to House Finance Committee 1/26/06 HB 2392 would create a sales and use tax exemption on plug-in hybrid vehicles. House Bill 7093 Referred to House Finance Committee 2/7/06 HB 7093 would authorize the Department of Environmental Management to develop a comprehensive fossil fuel and greenhouse gas reduction strategy consistent with the New England Governor’s/Eastern Canadian Premiers’ climate change plan. The strategy would include tax incentives and other economic incentives. House Bill 7195 Referred to House Finance Committee 2/9/06 HB 7195 would create a sales and use tax holiday on eleven Energy Star-labeled products from October 1, 2006 through October 30, 2006 House Bill 7610 Referred to House Environment and Natural Resources Committee 2/16/06, Senate Bill 2733 is the Companion Bill HB 7610, the “Energy and Consumer Savings Act,” would establish minimum efficiency standards for 22 appliances. House Bill 7630 Referred to House Finance Committee 2/16/06, Senate Bill 2546 is the Companion Bill HB 7630 would reduce the state sales tax for hybrid vehicles by 50 percent. House Bill 7724 Referred to House Finance Committee 2/28/06 HB 7724 would establish a sales tax holiday from March 1-8, 2007 for all non-business retail sales of Energy Star products costing up to $2,500. It also would provide a hybrid vehicle income tax credit of 1 percent of the vehicle purchase price, up to $300. House Resolution 7811 Referred to House Environment and Natural Resources Committee 2/28/06 HR 7811 would state the House of Representatives’ strong support for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s Memorandum of Understanding. House Bill 2623 Passed First Consideration in House 2/9/06, Senate Bill 2932 is the Companion Bill HB 2623 would reduce the sales tax on hybrid-electric and alternative fuel vehicles to 3.5 percent, and would allow single-occupant drivers of these vehicles to drive in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. House Bill 3185 Passed First Consideration in House 2/22/06, Senate Bill 3200 is the Companion Bill HB 3185 would authorize single-occupant drivers of hybrid vehicles to travel in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. House Bill 3626 Passed First Consideration in House 2/27/06, Senate Bill 3748 is the Companion Bill HB 3626 would direct all state agencies and institutes of higher education that have state-owned motor vehicle fleets of at least 10 vehicles to develop plans to improve the state’s use of alternative fuels, synthetic lubricants, and efficient vehicles with a goal of reducing or displacing at least 20 percent of the current petroleum products consumed by January 1, 2010. House Bill 80 Signed by Speaker of the House and President of the Senate 2/28/06 HB 80 would require the Division of Facilities Construction and Management to develop incentives to encourage state entities to conserve energy and reduce energy costs; procure energy-efficient products, where practicable; and analyze state agency energy consumption; among other energy-saving provisions. House Bill 253 Passed House 2/8/06, Assigned to Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee 2/10/06 HB 253 would establish minimum energy-efficiency standards for 20 products. House Bill 722 Referred to House Natural Resources and Energy Committee 1/26/06 HB 722 would establish a universal thermal energy-efficiency program, to be constructed so as to be available to all heated buildings that are served by the electricity grid. House Bill 860 Passed House 2/23/06, Referred to Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee 2/28/06 HB 860 would establish a carbon cap and trade program that would limit and reduce the total carbon emissions released by major electric generating stations that provide electric power to Vermont utilities and end-use customers. The credits would be traded through a market established through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. House Bill 872 Referred to House Ways & Means Committee 3/3/06 HB 872 would allow a portion of the new federal income tax credit for energy-efficient homes to also apply to the Vermont income tax. House Concurrent Resolution 212 Adopted by Both Houses 1/13/06 HCR 212 congratulates the Burlington Electric Department on its receipt of a 2005 National Star of Energy Efficiency Award, awarded by the Alliance to Save Energy. House Bill 130 Referred to House Appropriations Committee 2/15/06 HB 130 would provide a sales tax holiday from October 5, 2006 through October 8, 2006 for qualified energy-efficient products with a sales price of $1,500 or less purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. House Bill 613 Unanimously Passed House 2/9/06, Referred to Senate Finance Committee 2/10/06 HB 613 would grant an income tax credit to individuals who purchase energy-efficient equipment for their homes equal to the lesser of 25 percent of the equipment expenditures or $1,500. House Bill 1055 Unanimously Passed House 2/13/06, Unanimously Passed Senate 3/01/06, Sent Back to House 3/2/06, Senate Bill 651 is the Companion Bill HB 1055 would establish a schedule for electric generating units to reduce their emissions (not carbon dioxide), and would allow regulated facilities to participate in the EPA cap and trade system. Senate Bill 551 Passed House 1/31/06, Referred to House General Laws Committee 2/14/06 SB 551 would mandate that any passenger-type vehicles purchased or leased by a Commonwealth entity must be of the highest fuel economy and lowest pollutant emissions available for the vehicle’s intended purpose. House Bill 1010 Passed House 2/9/06, Referred to Senate Rules Committee 2/24/06 HB 1010 would require each electric utility, investor-owned utility, and consumer-owned utility in the state to develop an integrated resource plan – that is, a plan describing the mix of generating resources and improvements in the efficient generation, transmission, distribution, and use of electricity that will meet current and future needs at the lowest reasonable cost to the utility and its ratepayers. House Bill 3242 Referred to House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee, Senate Bill 6840 is the Companion Bill HB 3242 would eliminate minimum efficiency standards for illuminated exit signs and low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. House Bill 3256 Referred to House Commerce and Labor Committee 1/30/06 HB 3256 would authorize the sale of hybrid and hydrogen vehicles over the internet. Legislative Bill 461 Signed by Mayor 2/27/06 LB 461 creates an income tax credit equal to varying percentages of energy conservation expenses. Senate Bill 434 Referred to Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 1/31/06 SB 434 would require the state to reduce its dependence on petroleum through improvements in vehicle fleet fuel efficiency, use of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels. Senate Bill 756 Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee 2/22/06 SB 756 would establish a program to inventory all emissions, reductions and carbon sequestrations of greenhouse gases. It also would create a voluntary registry for the reporting of voluntary reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, and would provide public recognition of those voluntary reductions. Senate Bill 459 Passed Senate 2/21/06, Referred to House Rules Committee 3/2/06 SB 459 would require the Department of Administration to annually review and revise energy-efficiency standards for equipment installed under state construction projects. It also would direct the Department of Commerce to upgrade the Energy Conservation Code to refer to the IECC, and require the code to be reviewed every 3 years. Senate Bill 620 Referred to Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Information Technology 2/22/06 SB 620 would create an income and franchise tax credit of $1,000 for motor vehicles that use gasoline and ethanol mixtures as fuel and for fuel efficient hybrid vehicles. Return to the February - March 2006 State Energy Efficiency Bulletin |
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